It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:29 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 11:37 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
I recently purchased two 1961 Jazz basses, both stack knob rescue pieces. Both have been previously refinished. One has original electronics, the other does not. Both have some original hardware, and some not. Both are missing covers.

As I restore these I will likely have questions for this sage body of bassists, with the first being this:

What year did Fender start matching headstock finishes to body finishes, and was it a special order or a standard issue? Or, more directly, were matching headstocks available in 1961?

I thought it started with CBS but I have found some fairly solid samples as early as 1962 that I think are legit. What say ye?

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:15 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
Question #2, related.

In my quest for authentic and year appropriate parts, I came across a guy whose father collected chrome covers. He has several early jazz covers BUT his father had stored them stacked, with no paper or anything between them, the foam mutes attached to the front of next cover in the stack. He is wondering what would take it off without damaging the chrome finish. Says the stuff is solid as a rock.

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 9:22 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
affprod wrote:
Question #2, related.

In my quest for authentic and year appropriate parts, I came across a guy whose father collected chrome covers. He has several early jazz covers BUT his father had stored them stacked, with no paper or anything between them, the foam mutes attached to the front of next cover in the stack. He is wondering what would take it off without damaging the chrome finish. Says the stuff is solid as a rock.


Soak 'em in 'Goo Gone'!

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:27 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
linnin wrote:
affprod wrote:
Question #2, related.

In my quest for authentic and year appropriate parts, I came across a guy whose father collected chrome covers. He has several early jazz covers BUT his father had stored them stacked, with no paper or anything between them, the foam mutes attached to the front of next cover in the stack. He is wondering what would take it off without damaging the chrome finish. Says the stuff is solid as a rock.


Soak 'em in 'Goo Gone'!


+1

Any truly stubborn adhesive stains left behind can be polished away with Simichrome.

As for the painted headstock question, the oldest full-color pre-CBS catalog I have is for the 1964/65 model year and there are none depicted on any instrument -- guitar or bass. Factory originals may exist but I have no supporting evidence to cite.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:08 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
Thank you both for the info, I will pass it along.

Regarding the matching headstock, I cannot find reference prior to 66, yet I seem to be finding basses.....so I will continue to look. If you come up with anything else, please let me know.

In the meantime. Keep thumpin'
Steve

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:24 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
I surely will, Steve.

I do have the 1966-67 catalog and it does show matching painted headstocks on instruments finished in Duco custom colors, both basses and guitars. But I do think the practice of matching headstocks pre-dates the CBS era -- it's just not mentioned in those earlier catalogs.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2015 8:16 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:11 pm
Posts: 558
affprod wrote:
Thank you both for the info, I will pass it along.

Regarding the matching headstock, I cannot find reference prior to 66, yet I seem to be finding basses.....so I will continue to look. If you come up with anything else, please let me know.

In the meantime. Keep thumpin'
Steve

Norman's Rare Guitars book shows a 1961 candy apple red jazz bass with matching headstock.
would love to see some pics of your restoration progress!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:40 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
my56strat wrote:
would love to see some pics of your restoration progress!


+1!

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:41 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
I have some happy news. The second 61 turned out to be a 60, but the only thing correct is the wood, tuners, and string tree. That one is going to take a while to locate parts. Anyone gets a lead on the electronics, please PM me.

I will post some pics, assuming I remember....this aging thing, you know....

The first one I bought from George Gruhn. He has a video of it on YouTube if you are interested. It was refinished in white poly. That one is being stripped right now and will come back in an appropriate nitro finish. The tuners were replacement Gotohs, but I did find an appropriate set. Also found covers and strap buttons. The electronics are right, so that one will be done first.

I am thinking Daphne Blue and Shell Pink for the pair. Still deciding on the headstocks so I really appreciate your input.

Best,
Steve

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:01 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
I'd go with matching headstocks. Pink & Blue will make a handsome couple.

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 12:44 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
Linnin, that's the way I am leaning. I like the early pastels and I like matching headstocks. Just trying to confirm that it was done in 60 & 61. I have a 68 Mustang that is Daphne Blue with a matching headstock, and it is really nice looking.

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:50 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
affprod wrote:
Linnin, that's the way I am leaning. I like the early pastels and I like matching headstocks. Just trying to confirm that it was done in 60 & 61. I have a 68 Mustang that is Daphne Blue with a matching headstock, and it is really nice looking.


It's the only Mustang I have ever lusted after. Too bad it's not a lefty. :(

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:35 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
Image

But not a lefty.

I do think the matching headstock looks cool, however.

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 7:29 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:03 pm
Posts: 7
As far as I know, matching headstocks on custom colour Jazz basses started around 1962. After 1962, it would appear that custom colour Jazzes generally came with a MHS.

Here's my 1963 Fiesta Red:

Image


Last edited by liverbird on Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Restoring 2 1961 Jazz Basses
Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 1:15 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Actually the matching headstock treatment started on Custom Color Jazz Basses sometime in 1961. Stock color Jazzes did not get the headstock painted and neither did a Precision even when ordered in the same Custom Colors as the Jazzes.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: